eagle owl chick - Page 2

Art_Gecko101 · #11 (**permalink**) 13-06-2007, 04:14 PM

David im saving that 2nd pic onto my pc! Its so cute! lol.

ikkintastic · #12 (**permalink**) 15-06-2007, 10:01 PM

Wow, aren't Eagle Owls really rare in the UK? You are very lucky to do what you do. My boyfriend is really jealous, he wants to look after wildlife! :p

corvid2e1 · #13 (**permalink**) 16-06-2007, 12:32 AM

they are rare in the wild, in fact it is debatable whether they are even native, but this one is captive bred. the parents were both captive bred rescues. (we assume the female was, although she was found on the road with no rings or chip) they are quite a common species in captivity. I know I am very lucky, I know. I have been around these animals so much that it seems perfectly normal to me. at the moment I have a rook, a blackbird, and 3 house sparrows, all orphans, out in my shed. when I drive anywhere the rook sits on the back seat or sometimes on my shoulder and I have often got out to fill up with petrol or go into a shop with the bird still on my shoulder thinking nothing of it. it is only when I get comments and questions from fascinated people that I think about how unusual it is for most people to even see wildlife up so close, let alone live with it like I do.

ikkintastic · #14 (**permalink**) 17-06-2007, 06:16 PM

That sounds like the best job ever! My boyfriend is desperatly trying to find work with animals (especially wildlife) but he's finding it really hard

Any tips for him?

What would those birdies have done with out you ay?

corvid2e1 · #15 (**permalink**) 17-06-2007, 06:40 PM

best thing I can sugest is apply to some places to do volantary work first. there are very few paid jobs working with animals (unless you count pet shops) and a lot of people who want them when they do come up. if he is already volentering somewhere and a job comes up, he will be the first to know about it, and have the advantage because he already knows how the place works. my work at the rehab centre is volentary, although that is not likely to change on a perminent basis as it is a small charity and they don't have any paid staff, however they are looking into lots of grants to try and get me a wage for a couple of years. most rehab centres are the same, only the biggest can actuly afford to pay anyone so they are general run compleatly by volenteers, however zoos and similar buisnesses employ their staff and are usualy only too happy to take on someone that they don't have to pay for once.

kennedykrew · #16 (**permalink**) 17-06-2007, 07:19 PM

There has been a couple of instances of these owls attacking dog walkers in Halifax, probs trying to get a little doggie meal. They/it had escaped but i think now recaught. Lovely animals though.

ikkintastic · #17 (**permalink**) 17-06-2007, 07:43 PM

Thanks David, he finds it hard to do much voluntary work because his current job is so demanding. He works at Heathrow airport in security, and although they have an animal reception centre there, they only take on people with lots of animal experience. He's always checking the local zoos for jobs but they normally look for experience too. He's thinking of doing an animal based course at an animal studies college near us but that would mean giving up work and having no money to live on! Do you think an animal course would help him or is voluntary work more helpful?

corvid2e1 · #18 (**permalink**) 17-06-2007, 07:53 PM

depends on the course, which one is it? I have a national diploma in animal care and still wasn't able to get a paid job (I have not realy been looking for quite a while now though) a lot of that is also because I suck at interviews though! although a friend of mine went straight into a job as a zoo keeper on her first interview after the course. an NVQ will get you a job in a pet shop but that is probably about it. it does give you experience though, and he could always go on to do a higher course afterwards. the qualifications do look good, and do teach you a fair bit too, but the actual experience is probably more importaint, and volentary work is a good way to get that. that being said, the courses generaly include 1 day per week work experience anyway, so you get both.

ikkintastic · #19 (**permalink**) 17-06-2007, 11:52 PM

Thank you so much- I'll pass your advice onto him. The place near us is called Merrist Wood..they have a range of animal courses both diploma and foundation degree..animal behaviour and welfare..animal care..animal management..they also have ones in birds of prey and short courses in grooming, canine first aid and 'how to talk dog' lol

Which of the first three do you think would be the best?
Sorry to ask so many questions

BassFerret · #20 (**permalink**) 18-06-2007, 12:26 AM

Has he ever considered veterinary nursing? The pay is, er, less than fabulous but there are always training practices looking for people. It's not for the squeamish, but as a qualified vet nurse it's much, much easier to move into other animal-related areas.

And yes, there are male vet nurses!

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